GASTAT: Operating Revenues Index for Wholesale and Retail Trade Increases by 3.2% in Q2 of 2026

The President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, participated in the 17th Session of the Statistical Committee of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), held from 8 to 10 September 2026 in Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Sultanate of Oman, with the participation of heads of national statistical offices from Arab countries and representatives of Arab organizations.
The session focused on a range of topics aimed at advancing statistical work across the Arab region, including modernizing national statistical systems, strengthening data governance, leveraging emerging technologies and non-traditional data sources, and enhancing price statistics in the digital age. Discussions also highlighted the importance of data and innovative analytics in informing policymaking, improving disaster-related statistics, and strengthening coordination efforts to build the statistical capacity of national statistical offices.
During his participation, the President of GASTAT highlighted Saudi Arabia’s experience in advancing statistical practices through the adoption of modern data sources and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, geospatial data, and satellite imagery. He also showcased GASTAT’s efforts in fostering statistical innovation and developing capabilities, contributing to more comprehensive and high-quality indicators, greater efficiency in statistical production processes, and improved access to data for users and policymakers.
He also took part in a panel discussion on coordinating statistical capacity-building efforts for national statistical offices, sharing Saudi Arabia’s experience in strengthening collaboration and facilitating knowledge exchange at both national and international levels. He highlighted the Kingdom’s role in hosting key statistical events and forums, including the UN World Data Forum 2026, which will be held in Riyadh in November, alongside various initiatives and programs focused on building statistical capabilities and promoting knowledge transfer.
GASTAT’s participation in the session underscores its commitment to advancing regional and international statistical collaboration, facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices with national statistical offices and relevant organizations, and contributing to discussions on the future direction of official statistics. These efforts support the development of modern, sustainable national statistical systems across the Arab region. 
The ESCWA Statistical Committee serves as a regional platform that brings together national statistical offices from ESCWA member states to discuss statistical priorities, foster cooperation and knowledge exchange, and follow up on the implementation of joint statistical recommendations and initiatives at the regional level.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics publication for Q2 of 2026, which showed that the General Index of Operating Revenues increased by 3.2% compared to the same quarter of 2025, while decreasing by 0.6% on a quarterly basis compared to Q1 of 2026.
The publication showed that the Employees Compensation Index increased by 9.0% compared to the same quarter of 2025, driven by a 10.8% increase in employees' compensation in retail trade.
The results also showed that the E-Commerce Sales Index increased by 9.8% compared to Q2 of 2025, with retail trade increasing by 13.4%, wholesale trade by 6.5%, and the sale and repair of motor vehicles by 2.4%. On a quarterly basis, the E-Commerce Sales Index increased in retail trade by 1.1%, wholesale trade by 0.3%, and the sale and repair of motor vehicles by 0.1%.
The Automobile Sales Index also increased by 0.6% compared to the same quarter of 2025, while increasing by 0.9% on a quarterly basis compared to Q1 of 2026. 
It is noteworthy that Wholesale and Retail Trade Statistics provide short-term economic data to measure the performance of the wholesale and retail trade sector in Saudi Arabia. The statistics are compiled in accordance with approved statistical methodologies to ensure data quality and accuracy prior to publication. 
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with King Saud University (KSU). The MoU was signed on behalf of the two parties by GASTAT President, Fahad Aldossari and the Acting President of King Saud University, Prof. Ali bin Mohammed Masmali.
The MoU aims to strengthen research and scientific collaboration in the fields of applied and theoretical statistics and artificial intelligence. It also seeks to support research and innovation initiatives, statistical analysis and its applications across various sectors, facilitate the participation of academic and research experts in joint projects and programs, and provide advisory and training support in areas of mutual interest. In addition, the MoU also encourages the students and graduates of KSU to engage in cooperative training and research projects related to GASTAT's work. It further seeks to raise statistical awareness among the university's faculty, staff, and students through dedicated outreach programs, while supporting the development of academic curricula and training programs to better align educational outcomes with labor market needs.
This MoU reflects GASTAT's ongoing efforts to strengthen its partnerships with the academic sector, contributing to the enhancement of the quality of its statistical indicators, the development of national capabilities, and the advancement of research and innovation projects within the statistical sector.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) has earned the Great Place To Work® Certification for 2026, an international certification granted to entities that demonstrate their commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture. The certification is based on employees’ views, perceptions, and experiences related to the workplace and its prevailing culture. GASTAT is among the leading government entities in fostering a workplace that empowers national talent and enhances the employee experience.
This achievement reflects GASTAT’s commitment to enhancing the workplace and improving the employee experience, as well as its ongoing efforts to empower employees and develop capabilities to achieve its strategic targets through integration and transparency.
It is noteworthy that Great Place To Work® is a global authority on measuring workplace culture and leadership behaviors associated with achieving sustainable growth, strengthening employee belonging and retention, and supporting innovation within organizations.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) published the Short-Term Business Indicators Statistics publication for May 2026. The Operating Revenues Index recorded an increase of 11.4% in May 2026 compared to May 2025, driven by growth across several economic activities. Mining and quarrying recorded the highest increase at 38.7%, followed by manufacturing activity, which rose by 9.6%, wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles activities also increased by 3.6%, while construction and financial and insurance activities recorded increases of 2.5% and 12.9%, respectively.
On a monthly basis, the Operating Revenue Index increased by 2.9% in May 2026 compared to April 2026, driven by an increase of 0.6% in manufacturing activity, an increase of 10.2% in mining and quarrying activity, an increase of 1.3% in wholesale and retail trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles activity, an increase of 1.1% in financial and insurance activities, and an increase of 1.9% in information and communication activities. In May 2026, the issued building permits recorded a year-on-year decrease of 33.3%, falling to 5,056 permits, compared to 7,584 permits in May 2025. On a monthly basis, the number of building permits also declined by 25.7% compared to April 2026, which recorded 6,803 building permits.
It is noteworthy that the Short-Term Business Statistics product is one of GASTAT’s economic statistical products, designed to measure the short-term performance of various sectors of the economy through monthly indicators that monitor developments and growth rates across economic activities. The product covers all economic activities of establishments operating in the business sector across Saudi Arabia.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), in collaboration with the United Nations) UN (, today announced the opening of registration for participation in the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF 2026), scheduled to take place in Riyadh from 9 to 12 November 2026. Registration has also opened for the Second Saudi Statistics Forum (SSF), one of the Road to Riyadh events.

The opening of registration marks an important milestone in the preparations for hosting the Forum, enabling participants from around the world to register early and explore the Forum’s topics, programme, and accompanying events.

The 6th UNWDF is one of the world’s leading international platforms dedicated to data and sustainable development. It brings together representatives from governments, international organizations, academia, and the private sector to discuss the future of data, its role in supporting policymaking, and measuring progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Forum is expected to bring together participants from across the globe, providing a platform for the exchange of expertise, the sharing of international experiences and best practices, and the development of partnerships that strengthen collaboration in the fields of data and statistics. These efforts will contribute to enhancing capabilities and maximizing the use of data to support sustainable development and informed decision-making.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Forum reaffirms the Kingdom’s role in advancing international cooperation and strengthening statistical development, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and its ongoing efforts to foster innovation and further develop the data and statistics ecosystem.

Those interested in participating may register through the registration link and stay informed about the latest updates and Forum-related information through the official channels of GASTAT and the UN.

أعلنت الهيئة العامة للإحصاء اليوم إطلاق مسارات الدورة الابتكارية الثالثة ضمن برنامج المشاريع الابتكارية في خطوة تعكس استمرار جهودها في ترسيخ ثقافة الابتكار وتطوير المنهجيات والمنتجات الإحصائية والاستفادة من التقنيات الحديثة والذكاء الاصطناعي لتعزيز جودة البيانات ودعم صناعة القرار.
ويأتي إطلاق هذه المسارات من خلال مختبر الابتكار الذي يُعد إحدى المبادرات النوعية للهيئة الهادفة إلى تمكين الابتكار في القطاع الإحصائي وإشراك الباحثين والمتخصصين والمهتمين من خارج الهيئة في تطوير حلول ابتكارية تعالج التحديات الإحصائية إضافةً إلى تطوير المنتجات والعمليات والمنهجيات الإحصائية من خلال بناء نماذج أولية وحلول قابلة للتطبيق تحقق قيمة مضافة للعمل الإحصائي.
وتضم الدورة الابتكارية الثالثة ثلاثة مسارات رئيسة تستهدف معالجة التحديات الإحصائية ذات أولوية، حيث يركز المسار الأول على تطوير وكيل ذكي يعتمد على تقنيات الذكاء الاصطناعي للكشف التلقائي عن التباينات غير المنطقية والقيم غير الاعتيادية وتحليل الأنماط والعلاقات بين المؤشرات الإحصائية وهو ما يسهم في رفع جودة البيانات وتسريع عمليات المراجعة والتدقيق وتقليل احتمالية الأخطاء البشرية.
ويعنى المسار الثاني بتطوير منهجية لتقدير الإنتاج الزراعي على مستوى المحافظات باستخدام بيانات الأقمار الصناعية وبيانات المسوح الزراعية بما يتيح إنتاج تقديرات أكثر دقة للمناطق التي لا تتوفر فيها عينات كافية والاستفادة من مصادر البيانات غير التقليدية في تطوير المؤشرات الزراعية ورفع كفاءة إنتاج الإحصاءات.
أما المسار الثالث فيركز على تطوير نموذج تعلم آلة لتقييم ومراقبة جودة عمليات جمع البيانات ميدانيًا من خلال رصد الأنماط وإصدار التنبيهات المبكرة بما يسهم في تعزيز جودة عمليات المسوح الإحصائية ورفع كفاءة المتابعة وتحسين جودة البيانات قبل مراحل المعالجة والنشر.
وأكدت الهيئة أن هذه المسارات تأتي امتدادًا لجهودها في تبني الحلول الابتكارية وتعزيز التعاون مع المجتمع البحثي والاستفادة من الخبرات الوطنية في تطوير العمل الإحصائي بما يواكب أحدث الممارسات الدولية إلى جانب المساهمة في تحقيق مستهدفات رؤية السعودية 2030 من خلال بناء منظومة إحصائية أكثر كفاءة وابتكارًا.
وأوضحـت الهيئة أن مختبر الابتكار يوفر للباحثين والمتخصصين البيئة المناسبة للعمل على المشاريع من خلال إتاحة البيانات وفق الضوابط المعتمدة وتوفير البرامج الإحصائية اللازمة للتحليل وتمكينهم من الاستفادة من قدرات وموارد الهيئة ذات العلاقة بالمشروعات بما يسهم في تطوير حلول قابلة للتطبيق وذات أثر مستدام على المنتجات والعمليات الإحصائية.
وتستهدف الدورة الباحثين والمتخصصين والمهتمين بالقطاع الإحصائي من الإحصائيين وعلماء البيانات ومنسوبي الجامعات والجمعيات الإحصائية والمراكز البحثية ومراكز ومختبرات الأبحاث في القطاعين العام والخاص داخل المملكة العربية السعودية بما يعزز الشراكة مع الكفاءات الوطنية ويوسع نطاق الابتكار في المجال الإحصائي.
وبيّنت الهيئة أن المواضيع الإحصائية المطروحة في مسارات الدورة الابتكارية الثالثة أصبحت متاحة عبر بوابة الابتكار الإحصائي، داعيةً الباحثين والمتخصصين والمهتمين إلى الاطلاع على تفاصيل المسارات وآلية التقديم واختيار المسار الذي يتوافق مع خبراتهم وذلك من خلال بوابة الابتكار الإحصائي عبر الرابط التالي: https://www.stats.gov.sa/innovation-platform
تجدر الإشارة أن إطلاق هذه المسارات تمثل خطوة جديدة نحو تحويل الأفكار الابتكارية إلى حلول تطبيقية تسهم في تطوير المنهجيات الإحصائية وتحسين جودة البيانات وتعزيز الابتكار المؤسسي بما يدعم صناعة القرار ويرسخ مكانة المملكة في تبني أفضل الممارسات الإحصائية على المستويين الإقليمي والدولي.

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) organized a webinar titled "The 6th UN World Data Forum: A platform for implementation and coordination" as part of "Road to Riyadh" events. The event forms part of Saudi Arabia's preparations to host the 6th UN World Data Forum (UNWDF 2026), scheduled to be held in Riyadh in November 2026. The webinar featured the participation of the President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, along with a distinguished group of officials, experts, and specialists in data and statistics from the Kingdom and around the world.
During his remarks, Aldossari emphasized that Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 6th UNWDF reflects the international confidence placed in the Kingdom and demonstrates the significant progress achieved by the national statistical ecosystem in advancing the future of data and statistics at both the regional and global levels. He highlighted GASTAT's efforts over recent months, including organizing conferences, seminars, panel discussions, and workshops aligned with the Forum's. These efforts have contributed to deepening dialogue on the latest developments in the statistical field and maximizing the Forum's expected outcomes.
The webinar brought together Shantanu Mukherjee, Acting director of the UN Statistics Division; Dr. Macdonald G. Obudho Director General of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics ; Jenna Slotin, Interim CEO of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data; Vjollca Simoni, Director of European Integration and International Relations at the Albanian Institute of Statistics; Javier Posse, Director of the School of Statistics at the National University of Rosario; Dr. Munther Alansari, Advisor at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and a global expert in tourism statistics; Timothy Trainor, International Consultant and Former President; and Hamad Allahim, Director of International Participation and Activities at GASTAT. The session was moderated by Ibrahim Alali, Advisor at GASTAT. Participants discussed leading international practices and experiences in data and statistics, as well as mechanisms for strengthening integration and coordination among partners in preparation for the Forum.
The webinar also reviewed the latest developments in preparations for hosting the Forum and highlighted the key topics of the preparatory program. Discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen international partnerships in data and statistics and the importance of coordination among relevant stakeholders to ensure the Forum's success and maximize its impact. In addition, the webinar explored the Forum's key topics, including data innovation, data governance, decision-making, and accelerating progress toward SDGs.
The webinar represents one of the key milestones in the Forum's preparation process, implemented by GASTAT in partnership with the UN Statistics Division. The program aims to enhance readiness, expand international collaboration, and enrich global dialogue on the future of data and statistics in support of sustainable development planning and economic policymaking.
 

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), participated for the first time in the 23rd meeting of the OECD Committee on Statistics and Statistical Policy (CSSP), held virtually from 22 to 23 June 2026, with the participation of heads of national statistical offices and senior statistical officials from member countries and international partner organizations.
President of GASTAT, Fahad Aldossari, stated that Saudi Arabia’s participation in this meeting, held ahead of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), underscores the Kingdom’s advanced standing within the international statistical community and reflects the growing global confidence in its institutional capabilities, particularly as it prepares to host the 6th  United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) 2026 in Riyadh.
The meeting reviewed a number of topics related to the advancement of statistical work, including strengthening the quality and reliability of statistical data, leveraging artificial intelligence in statistical processes, and modernizing statistical methodologies and standards. Discussions also covered the use of emerging data sources to support the production of statistical indicators and meet the evolving needs of data users.
CSSP is one of the principal committees of OECD. It is responsible for discussing strategic directions related to official statistics, advancing statistical indicators and methodologies, and strengthening cooperation among national statistical offices and specialized international organizations. GASTAT’s representation of the Kingdom in the Committee’s work reflects Saudi Arabia’s active engagement in international statistical forums and its commitment to keeping pace with global developments in statistics and data. It also contributes to discussions on issues shaping the future of statistical work and its development. Through these efforts, GASTAT continues to support statistical systems and offices regionally and internationally, helping to strengthen statistical capacities and advance progress toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), is preparing to announce the opening of registration on 30 June 2026 for participation in the 6th World Data Forum (UNWDF 2026), alongside registration for the Second Saudi Statistics Forum (SSF), as part of the preparations for hosting the Forum in Riyadh this coming November.

The registration announcement will be accompanied by the release of media materials through the official channels of GASTAT and the UN. These materials will highlight the Forum’s objectives, key topics, and participation opportunities.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the Forum reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in the global data ecosystem and its commitment to advancing international cooperation and fostering strategic partnerships in the fields of data and statistics, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

The Forum is expected to bring together participants from around the world, providing a platform for the exchange of expertise, the sharing of international best practices, and the development of partnerships that contribute to strengthening data and statistical systems.

UNWDF is one of the world’s leading international platforms dedicated to data and sustainable development. It brings together representatives from governments, international organizations, academia, and the private sector to discuss the future of data and its role in supporting policymaking and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
 GASTAT encourages experts and all interested stakeholders to follow the official channels of both GASTAT and the UN for updates on the Forum, registration details, and participation procedures, which will be announced in the coming period.
 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked first among the G20 countries according to country-reported data in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Indicators Database, compared to the results of the Safety Index for the year 2023, issued by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The results showed that 97.7% of the total population feels safe when walking alone at night in their residential areas.
The results released by GASTAT indicated the contributions of relevant government sectors in maintaining the safety experienced by residents across all regions and governorates of the Kingdom. This aligns with ongoing initiatives to enhance security, stability, and quality of life in Saudi Arabia across various domains, including economic, food, environmental, health, social, political, intellectual, technological, and cybersecurity. These efforts also aim to enhance the quality of services in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
It is worth noting that GASTAT carries out all of its statistical activities in accordance with a unified methodology that is aligned with the nature of each statistical product. This methodology is based on the Statistical Business Process Manual, which is consistent with the business processes adopted by international statistical organizations.

 On the occasion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 92nd National Day, Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, conveyed his sincere congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, expressing profound appreciation and patriotic pride.
In a statement marking this national celebration, Dr. Aldossari remarked, "As we commemorate the 92nd National Day of our beloved Kingdom, we recall with reverence the key milestones that have shaped the illustrious history of Saudi Arabia. This occasion renews our sense of national belonging imbued with pride and honor. It also serves as a moment of reflection on the values of loyalty, gratitude, and the eternal legacy of a nation founded on determination and achievement."
Aldossari further emphasized GASTAT’s historical role in national development, stating that GASTAT has, for more than six decades, played a pivotal role in the provision of official statistical data. These efforts, he noted, are the cumulative outcome of 92 years of continuous work, beginning with the era of the Kingdom’s founder, His Majesty King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud—may Allah have mercy on him—and continuing through successive stages to the present day. Throughout this journey, GASTAT has received unwavering support from the leadership, underlining the critical importance of its mission in supporting national planning and policy-making.
In conclusion, Aldossari affirmed that the Kingdom’s progress continues with unwavering momentum. Citing the words of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who described the aspirations of the Saudi people as “reaching the sky,” he underscored the high level of ambition, determination, and commitment that characterizes the Saudi people. He emphasized that these qualities are instrumental in realizing the future aspirations and strategic objectives of the Kingdom.
Aldossari concluded his statement with a prayer for continued prosperity, security, and progress for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under its wise and visionary leadership, reaffirming that the statistical sector remains a cornerstone of national development and a key enabler of sustainable growth.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) will organize a quarterly virtual workshop on Thursday, June 25, 2026, titled "Statistical Practices: The Statistical Quality Assurance Framework and Its Role in Enhancing the Quality of Statistics," as part of Road to Riyadh events in preparation for Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 6th UNWDF in November 2026.
The workshop aims to highlight GASTAT's experience in developing and implementing the Statistical Quality Assurance Framework across statistical products to enhance data reliability and support decision-making. It will also showcase GASTAT's organizational efforts to establish an integrated statistical quality system in line with international best practices, develop methodologies for evaluating statistical products, and establish continuous improvement mechanisms, thereby enhancing the quality of statistical outputs and strengthening transparency and confidence in official statistics.
In this context, GASTAT invited specialists and those interested in the fields of statistics and data to participate in the virtual session, which will be streamed via GASTAT's digital platforms, with further details on the Road to Riyadh events available through its website.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT is organizing a series of sessions and events as part of Saudi Arabia's preparations to host the 6th UNWDF 2026 to promote dialogue, facilitate the exchange of expertise, and highlight the progress witnessed by Saudi Arabia in the fields of statistics and data. The events will continue until the Second Saudi Statistics Forum, taking place on November 8, 2026, ahead of UNWDF, which will be held from November 9 to 12, 2026.
 

The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) concludes the second edition of the Statistical Knowledge Competition, which was implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education,   and honors the winning education departments. The event was attended by Dr. Saad Al Harbi, Vice Minister for General Education, and Fahad Aldossari, President of GASTAT, along with a number of senior education officials, directors of education departments, and GASTAT leaders and staff.  This comes as part of ongoing efforts to promote statistical literacy and enhance awareness among younger generations of the importance of data and statistics.
The President of GASTAT emphasized that the competition represents one of GASTAT’s initiatives aimed at enhancing statistical awareness among male and female students and developing their skills in reading, understanding, and interpreting data and statistical indicators from reliable sources. He noted that the strong participation in the second edition reflects the growing interest in statistical knowledge among students across the Kingdom and underscores the importance of continuing joint efforts to strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills among future generations, thereby contributing to the preparation of national talent capable of keeping pace with rapid transformations and ongoing developments.
The competition results showed that the General Administration of Education in Riyadh Region ranked first in terms of the number of participants, accounting for 22.1% of the total participants. Followed by the General Administration of Education in Jeddah Governorate with 20.2% and the General Administration of Education in Makkah Region with 12.1%. Meanwhile, the General Administration of Education in Eastern Region ranked fourth with 10.01%, while the General Administration of Education in Qassim Region came fifth, accounting for 9.0% of the total participants.
It is worth noting that the second edition of the Statistical Knowledge Competition builds on the success achieved by the first edition. A total of 1,690,787 male and female students participated in this edition, representing 16 education departments across various regions and governorates of the Kingdom. This reflects the high level of engagement with the competition and its role in fostering statistical awareness and enhancing knowledge of data and its importance within the educational sector.

‌This policy aims to ensure the implementation of the integrated administrative systems requirements within GASTAT by tracking and following up to achieve the strategic objectives of GASTAT and maintaining the satisfaction of the beneficiaries through the provision of high-quality services and full compliance with the regulatory and legislative requirements as follows:
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) released the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Publication for Q1 of 2026. According to the publication 's results, real GDP recorded a growth rate of 3.0% compared with the corresponding quarter of 2025. This growth was driven by a 2.9% increase in both oil and non-oil activities, in addition to a 1.5% rise in government activities. On a seasonally adjusted basis, real GDP declined by 1.2% in Q1 of 2026 compared with Q4 of 2025.
The results also showed that non-oil activities were the main contributor to real GDP growth in Q1 of 2026, contributing 1.7 percentage points. Oil activities contributed 0.8 percentage points, while government activities and net taxes on products contributed positively by 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points, respectively.
It is worth noting that all economic activities recorded positive year-on-year growth rates. Financial and insurance activities, along with business services, posted the highest growth rate in Q1 of 2026 at 5.4%, followed by manufacturing activities excluding oil refining, which grew by 4.0%.
 

Fahad Aldossari, President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), headed the GASTAT delegation participating in the Global Data Festival 2026, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 2 to 5, 2026. The event brought together a wide range of leaders and experts in data, statistics, technology, and innovation from around the world to discuss ways to advance data ecosystems and strengthen their role in supporting sustainable development and data-driven decision-making.
During his participation as a keynote speaker at the festival’s closing ceremony, Aldossari highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen data and statistical ecosystems, reaffirming its commitment to fostering innovation, promoting international cooperation, and leveraging data and emerging technologies to advance sustainable development. He also underscored the importance of integrating statistical systems, geospatial information, and artificial intelligence technologies to address global development challenges.
On the sidelines of the festival, GASTAT President held a series of bilateral meetings with international and statistical organizations. These included a meeting with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), represented by Director General Dr. Macdonald George Obudho, who also serves as Co-Chair of the High-level Group for Partnership, Coordination and Capacity-Building for Statistics for the 2030 Agenda (HLG-PCCB).
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the strategic priorities of the 2026 UN World Data Forum, scheduled to be held in Riyadh next November. They also explored mechanisms for aligning and integrating the outcomes of the Global Data Festival in Nairobi with those of the Forum, discussed the initial direction of the outcome document, and reviewed ongoing efforts to ensure the success of the event through the “Road to Riyadh” activities. In addition, they explored opportunities for collaboration within the framework of the High-level Group
GASTAT President also met with Ms. Jenna Slotin, representative of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (GPSDD), to discuss the Partnership’s priorities and areas of work. The meeting reviewed GASTAT’s preparations for hosting the 2026 UN World Data Forum and its strategic vision for the event.
The two sides also explored opportunities for collaboration and engagement during both the preparatory phase and the Forum itself, while laying the groundwork for future partnership and cooperation in support of international efforts aimed at harnessing data for sustainable development.
It is noteworthy that GASTAT’s participation in the Global Data Festival reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence in specialized international forums and reinforce its position as an active partner in advancing data and statistical ecosystems at both the regional and international levels.
 

The President of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), Fahad Aldossari, participated in the 14th meeting of the Permanent Committee for Statistical Work of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States. The meeting was held virtually and organized by the GCC Statistical Center, with the participation of heads of national statistical offices from the member states. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation and coordination, advance Gulf statistical work, and support sustainable development across the GCC countries.

Participants discussed several agenda items, most notably updates on preparations for the Sixth United Nations World Data Forum (UNWDF) 2026, which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The meeting also reviewed the “Road to Riyadh” events and efforts to enhance the engagement of partners and stakeholders in the Forum, while promoting international cooperation in the fields of data and statistics.

The committee further reviewed the Strategic Plan for Joint GCC Statistical Work (2026–2030), which seeks to strengthen statistical integration among GCC member states and advance joint initiatives and projects. The plan aims to improve the efficiency of Gulf statistical work and unify efforts that support decision-making and sustainable development. Heads of statistical offices approved the strategic document and agreed to submit it to the GCC Ministerial Council for final approval.

The meeting also examined the project to develop the GCC Framework for Statistical Standards and Methodologies. Participants emphasized the importance of adopting modern statistical methodologies, internationally recognized classifications, administrative records, advanced data sources, and artificial intelligence technologies to enhance the quality and comparability of statistical outputs at both the regional and international levels. They also stressed the importance of data confidentiality and the implementation of approved governance frameworks and standards to ensure data security and privacy in accordance with national policies across member states.

In addition, the meeting explored ways to strengthen statistical integration and coordinate joint efforts in light of rapidly evolving economic conditions. In this context, a working group was established to review priorities, programs, and statistical activities, while promoting knowledge-sharing and the exchange of expertise among member states to ensure the continuity and integration of GCC statistical work.

President of GASTAT emphasized that joint GCC statistical work represents a successful model of regional integration and cooperation. He noted its important role in developing the Gulf statistical system and maximizing the value of data in supporting public policies and development programs. He also highlighted the importance of continuing collaborative efforts to adopt modern statistical practices and methodologies and to strengthen national capabilities in line with rapid developments in data and emerging technologies.

It is worth noting that the 14th meeting of the Permanent Committee for Statistical Work of the GCC States forms part of ongoing efforts to enhance statistical integration among GCC member states and advance cooperation in the fields of data and statistics. These efforts contribute to decision-making and improve the efficiency and future readiness of Gulf statistical systems in addressing emerging developmental challenges.